R&B singer Tank eyes Grammy win for 2012

NEW YORK – R&B singer Tank is nominated for an award at Sunday's Grammys, but he says he's looking to win in 2012.

He said that the Recording Academy recently called his label, Atlantic Records, praising his cover of Bonnie Raitt's 1990's love song, "I Can't Make You Love Me."

"I was like, 'They said what?'" Tank recalled. "They said that they really loved the ... cover and that was amazing."

The song appears on Tank's fourth album, "Now or Never," released in November. He says the Grammy love means more to him since his CD isn't one that's topping the charts.

"This is not the album that is selling the most records. ... It's still an album that's in its development stages," he said of "Now or Never," which has peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

In the meantime, the 35-year-old singer is up for the best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals Grammy for the Chris Brown-assisted duet, "Take My Time."

"I don't even know who heard that song, it wasn't a single, it was just a great song off of his ('Graffiti') album," Tank said. "I'm trying to get me some camera seats just in case they call my name," he continued with a laugh.

Tank, who has written and produced songs for Jamie Foxx, Monica and Aaliyah, says when it comes to music making, getting personal has no boundaries.

"It's crazy because my last album, 'Sex, Love & Pain,' my ex-girlfriend called me after she heard a song and she's like, 'Well, shoot, I might as well be in the video!'" he said, referring to "I Hate U," a detailed song about a deceitful lover. "But that's really me. I'm a very life-imitates-art type of guy. I just kind of pour my heart into my music."